For almost 15 years in the mainstream media after I earned a # Journalism degree from the known antagonist, University of the Philippines, I was trained to look, always for bad news.
|
|
|
In Toledo City while Covering a story of Former Senator John Henry Osmeña |
|
|
|
Press Freedom Parade with Freeman family |
In the Freeman Newspaper www.philstar.com / freeman , the oldest existing newspaper in Cebu Province, we were taught to always doubt. Doubt, question information given by sources and data, specially if these are from the government sector. Oh yes, bad Sells news, but the reason is actually deeper than that.
The # media is the 4th Estate, we have to be the watchdog. =)
|
|
|
With two of the hard hitting commentators in Cebu, Leo Lastimosa of jab and Bobby Nalzaro of DySS |
And experience wise, government news is boring, like most of it lands in the trash can or made as draft papers.
|
|
|
With police beat reporters During the time of PDG PRO7 as Regional Director Avelino Razon |
When I was assigned to the Regional Beat, I was exposed to the different government agencies and THEIR Various programs. I was amazed to know, indeed there are wonderful stories to tell … specific, valid and concrete applications and Implementation of beneficial activities. but unfortunately, these remained untold or “undercovered”.
|
|
|
A Christmas gathering with City Hall beat reporters and then Vice Mayor Michael Rama’s residence. |
Government news releases and developmental stories were already branded as propaganda. That alone is already a first bias.
|
|
|
Anchoring a two hour news and public affairs program over DyDD, El Nuevo Bantay Radyo 2010-2012.
|
|
|
|
Witrh Yory Deldig of Buena Mano GMA7 News |
News is not mainly launching, ribbon cutting, inauguration and the likes … so fly you go to the bin!
Thank goodness, I found a way to transform these to news worthy items.
And now here I am at the Philippine Information Agency and I see this as a challenge actually.
|
|
|
Signing my appointment November 2012 |
There will always be that the bias of government information from my former media colleagues.
But then there is also a good realization, that media outlets are actually hungry for GOOD NEWS. Specially if these stories talk about an improved living condition, an “overcomed” problem, a solution to a crisis …
|
|
|
Covering an earthquake drill, three months before the 7.2 magnitude quake and IT park. |
Reporters, mainstream media and government specially / information officers, are now “maintaining an eye for good news”.
|
|
|
Getting stories in the northern towns, two days after typhooon Yolanda |
These are success stories, more concrete and credible Because we and the government knows that the system is still working beyond the flashes of the cameras.
|
|
|
Covering the Israeli Defense Team mission in the north after typhoon Yolanda |
Times had gone so bad that from printed news, broadcast pieces, even on social networking sites, we see, hear, controversies, scams, disasters, crimes …
Whoa … too much …
It does not have to be huge (much better though), but to lighten up someone’s day or to gain trust and be assured that were in the right track, a packet of Good News is enough.
Agree?
Find my stories and www.pia.gov.ph
iCebu 